Holly (Female)

Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moist, well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: May and June
• Hardiness: fully hardy

  
  The glossy leaves of this holly have grey-green mottled centres and bright, golden-yellow margins. Despite its name, this compact, conical, evergreen shrub is a 'female' variety of holly which produces reddish-brown autumn berries that ripen to red. One of the best golden variegated hollies, it's a lovely specimen plant for a big, sunny shrub or mixed border.
  

• Garden care: To guarantee berries, it's necessary to plant a male holly nearby. Plants grown as free-standing specimens require minimal pruning - remove diseased or misplaced branches in spring. Trim plants grown as formal hedges in late summer. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant.
  
  
• Goes well with:Griselina littoralis, Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Purpureum', Taxus baccata, Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety', Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price', Galanthus nivalis